Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales	$ 410,818	$ 402,960	$ 382,100	$ 347,043	$ 438,677	$ 379,872	$ 315,193	$ 275,836	$ 1,542,921	$ 1,409,578	$ 1,233,159
Depreciation									31,766	24,469	20,758
Operating profit									323,849	335,480	315,543
Identifiable assets	2,042,289				1,829,515				2,042,289	1,829,515	1,304,450
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									1,542,921	1,409,578	1,233,159
Depreciation									31,766	24,469	20,758
Operating profit									323,849	335,480	315,543
Identifiable assets	2,042,894				1,836,024				2,042,894	1,836,024	1,320,391
Expenditures for long-lived assets									47,219	30,959	20,239
Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									793,488	684,096	611,911
Depreciation									15,638	9,532	7,087
Operating profit									203,757	211,072	210,350
Identifiable assets	750,616				611,357				750,616	611,357	286,974
Expenditures for long-lived assets									20,498	14,612	4,477
Advanced Technology Systems [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									516,266	515,992	437,232
Depreciation									9,180	8,695	7,851
Operating profit									123,403	134,074	114,660
Identifiable assets	721,524				718,354				721,524	718,354	691,479
Expenditures for long-lived assets									10,080	6,871	4,833
Industrial Coating Systems [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net external sales									233,167	209,490	184,016
Depreciation									3,370	3,141	2,855
Operating profit									33,786	25,933	27,220
Identifiable assets	113,835				110,982				113,835	110,982	71,438
Expenditures for long-lived assets									6,239	4,602	2,437
Corporate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation									3,578	3,101	2,965
Operating profit									(37,097)	(35,599)	(36,687)
Identifiable assets	456,919				395,331				456,919	395,331	270,500
Expenditures for long-lived assets									$ 10,402	$ 4,874	$ 8,492